Managing the rollercoaster of emotions in early motherhood can feel like a daunting task. There is so much adjustment, learning and surrender that is required and often very little support available to navigate the massive changes that this phase brings.
Yet emotions act like a gauge, keeping us aware of what works, what doesn’t, where our needs are met and where they aren’t. Tuning in to the emotions that arise and learning to work with them, can allow new mothers to regain a sense of control and keep overwhelm at bay.
Beware of the positivity trap
Did you know that our emotional system works in the same way as our immune system? It allows in what is nourishing and keeps out what is not. Our emotions directly impact our nervous system and making sure that they move through as needed is key to staying mentally and physically healthy.
In the realm of holistic mind/body connection, cultivating positive emotions such as compassion, mindfulness, gratitude, is often the place we’re told to start. However, I’ve noticed with my clients, time and again, that they often can’t easily access these until they start addressing the backlog of repressed emotions which haven’t yet made their way out of their system.
“Suppressing emotions takes a great amount of energy and limits access to joy as
well.” Tami Lynn Kent
In our culture, we tend to overemphasise keeping stress under check and staying
calm at all costs, even though it means repressing healthy emotional response as a
result.
Tears help us process grief and sadness. Healthy anger used as a boundary defence
helps us protect what is precious in our life, the things that matter.
Practicing healthy emotional release as a new mother
So, what can you do to support your nervous system, your mind and your heart to thrive as a new mum?
Practice healthy emotional release. Here are some ways you can do it, and by the same token, support your overall health and wellbeing.
- Put words on what you’re feeling: speak it out loud or write it down. Try not to get stuck in replaying the event in your mind. Instead, focus on identifying the emotions behind the event that triggered you. If you can, follow the sensations in your body as you describe what you’re feeling.
- Get your needs met: an unmet need will often trigger anger and resentment. We live in a world where motherhood is unfortunately not valued and supported adequately. As unfair and disheartening as it is, if we can tune into ourselves enough to identify our needs (for rest, for support, for recognition, etc.) and voice them, we can feel empowered again as we get them met. Every time you feel overwhelmed by frustration, anger, sadness, ask yourself: “what is it that I need right now?”.
- Try therapy or coaching: it can be beneficial if you’re not comfortable accessing your emotions or body sensations on your own or it there’s a history of trauma. It is especially helpful if you’re struggling to identify your needs or ask for help.
- Consider body work: suppressed emotions get trapped in the body. Holistic therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractic, yoga, acupuncture, can help release emotional blockages and support a healthy immune system.
- Use this journaling prompt: where in your life are you not saying no? A great way to gain insights into the areas where you may need to set stronger boundaries in order to address stuck emotions.
And remember the 90-second cycle! According to neuroscience, it takes 90 seconds for the chemicals released by an emotion to flush out of the body. Train your attention so that you don’t get hooked by the thoughts that keep you stuck in the emotion, but instead notice it, breathe through it and watch it move out. This short video by Dr Joan Rosenberg explains this process and I also highly recommend her
book here as a resource to support you.
If you’re keen to stay in shape mentally and emotionally, if you’re going through challenging times and need support to regain clarity, build your confidence and sense of empowerment as a new mother, please reach out. I offer introductory sessions to get to know each other before diving deeper. More about my work here.
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As a Mum of 3, Renee brings her own life experience of motherhood, managing the NICU, being a medical mumma and mental health worker to her role as a certified Postpartum doula. Renee will always hold a safe space and offer non judgemental, empathetic care to her clients both in person and virtually. Support is individually tailored to you and your families needs on the day, every visit is different from the last. Birth preparation, postpartum planning and birth debrief sessions are also available.
Sage Nest
I’m Joanna, a mother of two and the founder of Sage Nest—a boutique wellness practice based in Newcastle, NSW. My work focuses on supporting women through the transformative stages of pregnancy, birth preparation, and postpartum recovery with care that is both holistic and deeply nurturing.
I’ve been in clinical practice since 2004 and bring together a unique blend of therapies to support the health and wellbeing of mothers and their families. My approach is integrative and evidence-informed, combining Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Massage Therapy, Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, and the Body Ready Method® to offer well-rounded care tailored to each individual.
At the Sage Nest, I provide support that spans the entire motherhood journey—from managing early pregnancy symptoms and preparing for an empowered birth, to gentle, restorative care in the fourth trimester and beyond. Each session is personalised to address not just the physical, but also the emotional and energetic shifts that come with matrescence.
Birth preparation is a particular focus of my work. I help women feel physically aligned, emotionally grounded, and mentally ready for labour and birth. My sessions may include acupuncture, bodywork, breath techniques, acupressure, body alignment and partner-inclusive education to build confidence and reduce fear. Whether you’re planning your first birth or looking for support after a previous experience, I create a space where you feel informed, prepared, and supported.
For new mothers needing extra support, I also offer postpartum home visits across the Newcastle region. These sessions bring hands-on care, comfort, and therapeutic treatments to your doorstep during a time when leaving the house can feel overwhelming. It’s a beautiful way to receive nurturing support in your own familiar space while you rest and recover.
I love helping women feel more confident in themselves and their mothering. It’s a privilege to witness mothers reach their goals, feel more at ease, and reconnect with themselves during this powerful life transition. It’s an honour to support that process.
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Lotus Health and Psychology was conceived with a desire to create lasting change in the life of new parents, by establishing a team of expert practitioners offering holistic, compassionate support during the reproductive and perinatal period.
Our therapists are trained to support a whole range of issues, because clients come to therapy for a whole range of reasons! Our Psychologists have been trained to understand a broad range of presenting problems, and have experience working with all of the common psychological disorders as well as many of the less common. Our therapists adopt a neurodiversity-affirming approach to therapy and can also offer sessions to NDIS participants.
Our patients include children, adolescents, adults and the elderly, and we treat all kinds of conditions including:
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